You push the papers back from the edge of the desk with a sigh. When you were 'given' this position you didn't quite realize how much in the way of busy work this would entail. Commissions are paperwork, build orders are paperwork, equipment changes and construction orders to Akashi are once again paperwork. It is only through the diligence of your pen and your faithful secretary that keeps it from meeting the ceiling.

The scent of fine wood and tea tickles your nose as you take a deep breath. The dark wood that makes up your office a design decision spawned from your first fleet and first command. The Union Jack hangs in the forms of bunting over each window. While you may be an American commander you still are subject to their 'whims' as such. Not that you mind really, your old office at Annapolis was decidedly drab.

That and the English ships do make a mean pot of coffee, so you are at least kept alive as you fight the paperwork monster.

Even this early in the morning the scent of tea still lingers in the air, long days and longer nights are the main selling point of the war against the sirens. Still, at the very least you aren't the only ones this early. The shouts and laughs from outside revealing that the destroyers are already up doing their morning exercises.

It bothered you a bit at first with just how childish they could be. In most senses they are children, but they are still machines of war more than they are human, a fact that you are reminded of more often than not. That, and you also have to babysit the marines on base, so more than one thing around can be surprisingly childlike and dangerous when bored.

… 2nd Marine is still banned from hanging out with Bogue after teaching her the knuckleball. How she managed to destroy the mess with a baseball you neither understand nor particularly care to investigate further. Still, they are remarkably human, a fact you find yourself uncomfortably facing as you have gotten to know them more.

A click turns your head towards the door, the heavy oak slowly opening to reveal your secretary. A tall woman, easily a head taller than your already larger than average six feet. She is blonde in hair, the strands tucked to one side in a braid to rest on her shoulder. She's dressed in her own custom uniform like many of the ships, though she is one of the few that dresses in something that almost approximates an actual uniform. A long blue dress with a British Flag motif, along with a white bonnet hat with a little model of her rigging on it.

She pauses when she spots you behind the desk, her hand pressing against her mouth before she smiles lightly. "Good morning, Commander. Care for a cup of coffee?" Her voice is light but mature all the same, with that faint hint of… power all ship girls have. It is hard to describe and it was even harder to get used to, their voices echo faintly whenever they speak, the ringing of metal audible with every word. That, and a British accent of course in her case.

Nowadays you just consider it part of the charm, and the more you adjust the harder it is to notice. "That would be lovely, thank you Hood."

Your secretary nods and moves over to the small countertop at the edge of the office near the windows that overlook the berth. Her heels click against the hardwood floor, a familiar and calming sound. With a sigh, you pull the chair back and take a seat behind your priso-

Desk. You meant desk of course.

"Early morning Commander?"

You reach and grab the first stack off the desk, reassignment forms… orders for more production. Akashi wants to make a pool out of beer?

"Commander?"

You look up from your musings to see your secretary staring at you from the counter, her head is slightly cocked as she waits for you to answer her question.

"Yes, sorry. Had issues sleeping last night." Precisely why you had trouble sleeping last night you don't specify. The cause wasn't the usual Akagi or someone else equally deranged, no it was a late delivery from headquarters. A small box, within which is a smaller box that is currently sitting within your desk drawer.

Apparently, the navy in its infinite wisdom has decided you need to be married, and unlike your average grunt that wants to avoid living in barracks this one has decidedly more drastic consequences. Namely the fact that a good dozen shipgirls have shown 'interest' already. Some more… violently than others. While you are sure she would be thrilled the day you give Roon a ring is the day you also lose your own life.

Still, it's a job… though you already have one candidate in mind. One you played with the idea of asking out before, present circumstances notwithstanding.

A faint 'click' grabs your attention, the sound of ceramic bouncing slightly on metal as Hood sets the tray onto the table. She gently picks up one of the cups, one hand moving to cover the top as she places it in front of you.

"I'm sorry to hear that, is everything alright?"

You nod, accepting the cup gratefully and taking a sip out of it. The running gag of 'navy coffee' is largely an out of date joke at this point, but even beyond the current adequate stock Hood makes a fantastic cup of coffee.

The warmth does wonders for revitalizing you, and you allow it to wash over you a moment before you turn your focus back onto your secretary ship. "Ah, yes, sorry everything is fine… was just up late going over some new equipment that was delivered."

"Oh?"

You nod, gently setting the coffee back onto the table before opening the top desk of the drawer. "Do you have a moment Hood?"

The shipgirl nods, her heels clicking together as she stands more at attention. Her hands move to her waist, clasped together in the middle as she looks at you with curiosity. Your hand moves to open the desk drawer before you pause… No.

You are a man forty years of age, young for an admiral. Old enough for an officer, you can do this. Your reach the rest of the way forward and open the drawer, sitting next to your reading glasses and writing utensils is a small box, sealed by a simple bit of red string. You carefully remove it and cup it in your hands.

"Hood?"

"Sir?"

You turn to look at her again, the ring just barely hidden under the edge of the desk. Hood was the first ship assigned to you after Javelin, and she has been your secretary this past year. Whether on the frontlines or helping you through the utter mountain of work she has been an ever-present figure at your side. While there are certainly others that would benefit from the supposed upgrades the ring brings, there is nobody in your mind that deserves this more.

"I received a…" You clear your throat, a sudden wave of nervousness you haven't felt since OCS washing over you a moment. You slowly bring up the box and place it on the desk between the two of you, the battlecruiser's eyes lock onto it immediately. "It is an upgrade from headquarters, an 'oath ring', they wish for me to… marry one of you all. Supposedly it will allow you to become stronger."

Hood raises a single finger to her lips, the smile coming back. "I notice you put an emphasis on the word 'you' commander, would I be allowed to get my hopes up?"

You blush despite yourself. "I… yes, that is, if you are willing to accept it I would like to offer the ring-" You shake your head, and with more force than is probably necessary you push the chair back and stand up, grabbing the box you hold it forward. "Hood, would you allow me the honor of-"

A giggle escapes her lips cutting you off. A faint blush is on her cheeks as her shoulders shake, her blue eyes are alight with mirth and happiness. She stops after a moment, then with a beautiful smile moves her hand forwards to rest on top of yours.

"My dear commander, you cannot express your feelings to a lady this nervously. But your feelings have reached my heart." She gently opens the top of the box to gaze at the ring inside, her eyes misting slightly as she stares at it. After a long moment, she closes it again, the lid snapping shut as she turns her gaze back to you. "It would be Hood's pleasure, but first, shall we dance?"

The first in a series of oneshots.